Hello, and welcome to the fourth recap of BikingMan Sri Lanka, the season’s opening race in the World Ultracycling Championship. We’re still at Panadura, where the finish line awaits. Although the victory was claimed yesterday by Guillaume De Spoelberch, the adventure is far from over! Over 40 ultracyclists are still on the road, tackling Sri Lanka’s winding and varied routes. They have until Friday noon, local time, to cross the finish line within the 120-hour time limit.
A look back at the struggle at checkpoint 3
Let’s rewind to 306 km from the finish line at checkpoint 3 in Tissamaharama, where the first riders arrived early on the morning of day four. Here’s what some had to say:
“I got up at 3 a.m., headed down the descent… what time was it, 10, 11 p.m.? It felt endless. Honestly, psychologically, it really gets to you. Alone in the night, it’s intense,” shares Adrien Leroux.
And from Bruno Palierne: “Next time, tell us to bring a motocross! It was brutal. Really brutal. But you know what, I don’t regret a thing!”
This long descent will stay etched in their memories. Many felt the exhaustion but didn’t regret the effort they’d put in to reach that point.
A fierce battle for the Top 10
The battle for the Top 10 was a highlight of day four. Around 110 km from the finish, several riders vied for position on the narrow roads in the country’s south. Tension was high, with each rider hoping to hold or improve their standing in the general classification.
Loris Labianca remarked:
“It’s almost over, and it’s alright. Riding at night is sometimes the best option; it’s just too hot during the day, 43°C. We’ll keep going like this and see what happens.”
The grueling descent between kilometers 640 and 620
Between kilometers 640 and 620, participants faced a rough, technical descent after checkpoint 2 in Nuwara Eliya. On this dirt track, the ultracyclists had to remain incredibly focused.
Jean Jacques Raffi shares with a laugh:
“You could have mentioned we’d need mountain bikes! We’re so focused that we could count the treads on our tires. I missed a turn, there was a bump I didn’t see. Honestly, it was paradise, but it was also exhausting.”
Jean-François Piedbeouf adds:
“My back hurts, my neck hurts, my hands hurt, it’s fantastic—honestly, thank you, because it’s paradise!”
This challenging stretch offered spectacular views, and the cyclists felt a constant contradiction between the landscape’s beauty and the difficulty of the terrain.
The unforgettable experience of Sri Lanka’s elephants
The elephants, iconic to Sri Lanka’s wildlife, are an unforgettable encounter on this ultracycling route. Between Buttala and Kataragama, riders crossed through Yala National Park, an area known for frequent elephant sightings.
“I came face to face with an elephant. It started coming toward me, so I decided to stay calm. Finally, a car came by and made some noise to make it leave—otherwise, I don’t think I would have dared to move.”
This encounter left lasting memories, as one participant describes:
“I dreamed of seeing an elephant, and it happened. I was so thrilled to experience that moment!”
Axel Carion, present on-site, described this encounter as one of the highlights of BikingMan Sri Lanka.
Emotional nighttime arrivals
As night fell in Panadura, many ultracyclists reached the finish line, marking the end of an intense stage. Emotions ran high, with smiles, tears, and exhaustion blending into a sense of accomplishment.
“It’s an unimaginable feeling. I dreamed of riding these 1,000 km by bike, and I did it. The emotions were overwhelming. This is an achievement I’ll never forget, and the Sri Lankan culture is incredibly kind and caring. They always help out when elephants show up, as they know exactly where they are and what to do,” says a moved Loris Labianca.
All the riders praised the kindness and hospitality of the Sri Lankans they met along the way, always ready to lend a hand.
The physical and mental trials of BikingMan Sri Lanka
While many finally reached the finish line, some reflected on the challenges they had overcome. One participant said:
“The last 950 kilometers were tough, but it was beautiful. Every stage, every challenge, was part of this unforgettable adventure.”
This challenging course, designed by Axel Carion, lived up to BikingMan’s reputation as a true test of physical and mental endurance.
A tribute to Sri Lanka’s landscapes
All participants were awed by the variety of landscapes they passed: from lush rice fields to high-altitude tea plantations and unexpected encounters with wild elephants. One of them noted:
“At my age, I never thought I’d see so much beauty. BikingMan Sri Lanka gave me an experience I’ll never forget.”
Conclusion of day four of BikingMan Sri Lanka
That’s it for day four of BikingMan Sri Lanka! The final hours of this adventure promise to be just as intense as the remaining cyclists push to reach the finish before the 120-hour cutoff.
As always, we wrap up this recap with an update on the standings, now final for the top five. Vincent Bremond and Jérémy Rouxel have completed the Top 5.
Join us tomorrow for a full summary of day five and the conclusion of this incredible journey along the roads of BikingMan Sri Lanka!
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